Scots cannot afford dream holidays: research

La Grande Metairie Campsite'Located opposite the reknowned Megalithic site of the standing stones of Kermario and Kerlescan of Carnac, Castel Camping La Grande Metairie, once a traditional Brittany farm, offers you a superb 5-stars campsite which extends over 15 hectares of greenery. The wonderful climate of the Morbihan in Southern Brittany, the superb beaches and the neighbouring holiday resort town of Carnac make this an ideal destination for your family holiday.

Published:14:00Saturday 16 April 2016

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With summer fast approaching, many Scots will now be dreaming about far-off destinations they would like to visit.

But, unfortunately, those visions may be out of reach as 94 per cent of people have a dream holiday in mind which they are unable to go on.

The research of more than 200 residents in Scotland found that while affordability is the main stumbling block to jetting off (75 per cent), nearly a fifth (19 per cent) prioritise other holidays first and 17 per cent have responsibilities that prevent them from going away.

Despite this, the study conducted by TopCashback.co.uk, shows that people in Scotland still have a very clear idea of what their perfect escape is.

For the majority, a dream holiday means visiting places they have never been to before (73 per cent) and having new experiences (62 per cent).

For half of people it means switching off from everyday life and a similar number (48 per cent) said spending time with loved ones summed up the ultimate getaway.

Two thirds (66 per cent) said they would want to see the local landscape, 65 per cent would want to eat local cuisine, 55 per cent said learn about the history and 55 per cent would want to see the wildlife.

With the majority of Scots not yet financially in a position to go on their dream vacation, more than two thirds (69 per cent) would need to save up to fund their trip. Only 13 per cent of people would be able save enough within a year whilst 44 per cent think it would take between one and two years. A fifth (23 per cent) said it would take them more than five years of saving.

Across the UK a key factor of what makes up a dream getaway for around a third (32 per cent) of Brits is the locality. The most common dream holiday spot amongst respondents was the USA (24 per cent) followed by Australia, the Maldives and the Caribbean (see chart).

Less common dream destinations included places much closer to home such as Scotland, London and Cornwall.

Natasha Rachel Smith, Consumer Affairs Editor for TopCashback.co.uk, said: “Most people tend to have a dream holiday that they fantasise about, especially on the long drizzly days before summer arrives. Having said this, money and day-to-day responsibilities are clearly standing in the way of converting these dreams into reality.”